Erik ten Hag Admits Manchester United Unprepared for Premier League Opener
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has conceded that his side is not fully prepared for the start of the Premier League season. Despite securing silverware in the EFL Cup and FA Cup last season, the Red Devils have faced challenges in their pre-season preparations.
A disrupted pre-season schedule due to international commitments and the late arrival of new signings Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui has hindered team cohesion. Ten Hag acknowledged the difficulties in building a cohesive unit under these circumstances but emphasized the need to compete despite the challenges.
“It’s true [new players need time], it’s not the pre-season where in five to six weeks you work on a team, it’s very complicated,” he said in his press conference.
“The USA tour squad, and then we added the players at Euros and Copa America and now new signings, and we have to make a team from it.
“That team is not ready, but the league starts, and more managers have this problem.
“Still, we have some room, have some principles, and we have to make a start. We can’t hide, we have to deal with it.
“We are not at 100% form, but we have to go from game to game to improve and to get higher performance levels in the team and in individual players. We will see how quick we can go with this process.”
In two seasons in charge, Ten Hag ended the club’s six-year trophy drought by beating Newcastle United in the EFL Cup final in 2023 before clinching the FA Cup against rivals City in May.
Despite failing to hold onto their lead to claim the Community Shield last Saturday, Ten Hag is eyeing more silverware with the club this season.
“Not so different but “We know our targets; we know our direction.
“[Our expectations are] always very high, we want to go for trophies.”
